Date/Time: Thursday, 16th January 2025 at 14:15
Location: Royal Academy of Music Museum, 1–5 York Gate, Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5HT
Price: £12 per person. Member and guest £24.
Event Organiser: Alan Jarvis. 28 The Drive, Amersham HP7 9AA
The Royal Academy of Music (RAM) is one of the oldest music schools in the UK, founded in 1822 by John Fane and Nicolas-Charles Bochsa. It received its royal charter in 1830 from King George IV with the support of the first Duke of Wellington.
The academy provides undergraduate and postgraduate training across instrumental performance, composition, jazz, musical theatre and opera, and recruits musicians from around the world, with a student community representing more than 50 nationalities.
The Academy’s Museum houses one of the world’s most significant collections of musical instruments and artefacts, including stringed instruments by Stradivari, Guarneri, and members of the Amati family; manuscripts by Purcell, Handel and Vaughan Williams; and a collection of performing materials that belonged to leading performers. It is a constituent college of the University of London and a registered charity.
The Museum is an integral part of Academy life. Engaging stories are told through its permanent galleries and programme of changing temporary displays. The Museum regularly holds lecture-recitals, seminars, workshops, special events and family activities, all open to the public for free.
The Strings and Piano Galleries allow students, staff and visitors to get a closer look at a selection of the Museum’s finest instruments, artworks and manuscripts. During the tour you will have the opportunity to watch live performances of centuries-old instruments, closely examine some of the first pianos built in London, and speak to experts about what makes something like a Stradivarius such a legendary and unique instrument.
Tour Details
The tour starts at 14:30 but please arrive early to allow time to be allocated a tour group.
The tour takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Tickets available: 46.
Catering
There are many cafes and restaurants on Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, both of which are a short walk from the Museum. While there is a cafeteria located in the main Academy building it is mainly for students and is not suitable for large groups.
Accessibility
Step-free access is available into the Museum from the eastern side of York Gate. Please push the bell at the side of the entrance for access.
There are different galleries on the ground floor, first floor and second floor. All are accessible by lift.
There are accessible toilets on the Museum’s first and second floors, near the lift.
Event Booking
Please note that all bookings are subject to our Event Booking Rules.
The standard, printable event booking sheet is downloadable here.